Mountains to Molehills: ‘Disrespect’

Published: Monday, October 29, 2012 at 7:50 a.m.

Last Modified: Monday, October 29, 2012 at 7:50 a.m.

Al Miner of Hendersonville celebrated another birthday Wednesday, and he says that when he read the Mountains to Molehills column that day, he thought, “Wow, that’s a fine birthday gift of truth.” He’s referring to Phyllis Fasnacht’s statement that Vice President Joe Biden made a “poor showing” during his televised debate with Paul Ryan. “My wife and I,” says Mr. Miner, “had begun to wonder whether we were the only ones who were saddened for our country by Mr. Biden’s disrespect.”

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‘DISCOURAGED’: Jim Neuhardt of Bat Cave is convinced Barack Obama disapproves of the American way of life.

“He’s going to destroy us if he’s re-elected,” he says. “Am I discouraged? Yes. And it’s not just that he’s out of touch. He just doesn’t like the American way of life, which I’m satisfied is working the way it is. It has for more than 200 years.”

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LISTEN UP, DRIVERS: The pool of careless motorists around here has just about gotten on Judi Wellman’s last nerve. “Fellow Henderson County drivers, could we help each other save lives?” wonders the Flat Rock resident. “Please use turn signals, please turn on lights when it is raining, please stop turning in front of me, please at least drive as fast as the recommended speed is stated, please think ahead and get in the lane of your choosing, and please throw your trash in a basket, not along the highways. Protect the beautiful place where we live, and enjoy the four seasons. Thank you for your assistance.”

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REPUBLICAN PUPPIES: John Feltman of Etowah tells a tale of two puppies. It begins with a young man standing on a street corner trying to sell a couple of small puppies. A gentleman walked by, and the youngster asked, “Sir, would you like to buy the puppies?”

The gentleman replied, “No, son, I don’t need any puppies.”

The boy noticed a Democrat sticker on his shirt and replied, “But, sir, these are Democrat puppies.” The gentleman still said no. A few days later, the boy was back on the street corner trying once again to sell the puppies. A gentleman walked by, and the youngster asked, “Sir, would you like to buy the puppies?” The man replied, “No, son, I don’t need any puppies.” The boy noticed a Republican sticker on his shirt and replied, “But, sir, these are Republican puppies.” Just then the Democrat walked by and overheard the conversation and said, “Son, the other day you tried to sell me the puppies as Democrats, so are they Democrats or Republicans?” The youngster had to think fast and replied, “Yes, sir, that’s true, the other day their eyes weren’t open, and they couldn’t see, but today their eyes have opened.”

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LAST BUT NOT LEAST: Don’t miss the free “Gift of Love” organ concert today, starting at 3 p.m., at Mills River Presbyterian Church. A variety of area musicians from four churches will combine their talents for the autumn music festival.

“We selected the ‘Gift of Love’ theme because the autumn is such a special time to be thankful for the love of family and friends,” says Louis Travis, organist at Mills River Presbyterian Church. Donations will be accepted during the concert to help fund the new organ at the church, located at 10 Presbyterian Church Road in Mills River. ◆ The Hendersonville Swing Band will play a concert Saturday to benefit the Civitan Club of Hendersonville. The band, under the direction of trombonist Jerry Zink, will play Big Band favorites of the ’30s and ’40s.

The concert will be held in the Hendersonville High School Auditorium beginning at 3 p.m. Tickets are available for a $10 donation to Civitan and may be obtained from the Henderson County Visitors Center or any Civitan Club member. Tickets also will be available at the door. Proceeds from the concert will be used to fund scholarships and local events such as Special Olympics.

<p>Al Miner of Hendersonville celebrated another birthday Wednesday, and he says that when he read the Mountains to Molehills column that day, he thought, “Wow, that's a fine birthday gift of truth.” He's referring to Phyllis Fasnacht's statement that Vice President Joe Biden made a “poor showing” during his televised debate with Paul Ryan. “My wife and I,” says Mr. Miner, “had begun to wonder whether we were the only ones who were saddened for our country by Mr. Biden's disrespect.”</p><p>◆</p><p>'DISCOURAGED': Jim Neuhardt of Bat Cave is convinced Barack Obama disapproves of the American way of life.</p><p>“He's going to destroy us if he's re-elected,” he says. “Am I discouraged? Yes. And it's not just that he's out of touch. He just doesn't like the American way of life, which I'm satisfied is working the way it is. It has for more than 200 years.”</p><p>◆</p><p>LISTEN UP, DRIVERS: The pool of careless motorists around here has just about gotten on Judi Wellman's last nerve. “Fellow Henderson County drivers, could we help each other save lives?” wonders the Flat Rock resident. “Please use turn signals, please turn on lights when it is raining, please stop turning in front of me, please at least drive as fast as the recommended speed is stated, please think ahead and get in the lane of your choosing, and please throw your trash in a basket, not along the highways. Protect the beautiful place where we live, and enjoy the four seasons. Thank you for your assistance.”</p><p>◆</p><p>REPUBLICAN PUPPIES: John Feltman of Etowah tells a tale of two puppies. It begins with a young man standing on a street corner trying to sell a couple of small puppies. A gentleman walked by, and the youngster asked, “Sir, would you like to buy the puppies?”</p><p>The gentleman replied, “No, son, I don't need any puppies.”</p><p>The boy noticed a Democrat sticker on his shirt and replied, “But, sir, these are Democrat puppies.” The gentleman still said no. A few days later, the boy was back on the street corner trying once again to sell the puppies. A gentleman walked by, and the youngster asked, “Sir, would you like to buy the puppies?” The man replied, “No, son, I don't need any puppies.” The boy noticed a Republican sticker on his shirt and replied, “But, sir, these are Republican puppies.” Just then the Democrat walked by and overheard the conversation and said, “Son, the other day you tried to sell me the puppies as Democrats, so are they Democrats or Republicans?” The youngster had to think fast and replied, “Yes, sir, that's true, the other day their eyes weren't open, and they couldn't see, but today their eyes have opened.”</p><p>◆</p><p>LAST BUT NOT LEAST: Don't miss the free “Gift of Love” organ concert today, starting at 3 p.m., at Mills River Presbyterian Church. A variety of area musicians from four churches will combine their talents for the autumn music festival.</p><p>“We selected the 'Gift of Love' theme because the autumn is such a special time to be thankful for the love of family and friends,” says Louis Travis, organist at Mills River Presbyterian Church. Donations will be accepted during the concert to help fund the new organ at the church, located at 10 Presbyterian Church Road in Mills River. ◆ The Hendersonville Swing Band will play a concert Saturday to benefit the Civitan Club of Hendersonville. The band, under the direction of trombonist Jerry Zink, will play Big Band favorites of the '30s and '40s.</p><p>The concert will be held in the Hendersonville High School Auditorium beginning at 3 p.m. Tickets are available for a $10 donation to Civitan and may be obtained from the Henderson County Visitors Center or any Civitan Club member. Tickets also will be available at the door. Proceeds from the concert will be used to fund scholarships and local events such as Special Olympics.</p><p>Reach Lou Parris at 828-694-7836 or molehills@blueridgenow.com.</p>